CIO.com has a nice article on what business analysts do for software implementation projects.
The eight key criteria are a good basis to compare the skills of your business analysts.
- Scope the system
- Interpret business need
- Translate Technical Issues
- Scope out the project details and requirements
- Put the development team in touch with the right people
- Help the project team traverse the politics of the organization
- Create Test Cases and Scenarios
- Act as Advocates for Project Stakeholders
Obviously a business analyst's duties are different than a project managers. However good business analysts are a vital aid to project manager and projects.


